The appearance of one Mr. Ray Cusick - famed creator of the Daleks (none of this Davros tosh) - was suddenly announced at that great bazaar of Doctor Who merchandising - 7th Galaxy. Without a moments hesistation, Chalky, Dufus and Shirt had agreed to go. Enigma, however, was currently working two jobs and didn't return Chalky's phone call in time. Ah well, her loss.

The others set off as usual and arrived with due trepidation. The queue was - of course - non-existent. One of these days, Dufus will realise that we do not need to set off quite so early.

Having purchased far too much, the three intrepid friends stood in line.

"I wonder if he'll wear his Blue Peter badge," asked Dufus.

"Don't be stupid," replied Chalky, "He's not going to wear it everywhere he goes, is he?"

Mr. Cusick arrived at the shop, Blue Peter badge proudly displayed on jacket laper. Chalky shut up.

Chalky commented on Mr. Cusick's badge, saying he had also received one when younger.

"A gold one?" asked Mr. Cusick.

"Ah, no. Just the ordinary one."

"Well, you have to be very special to get a gold badge. Goodness knows why they gave one to me!"

"You did create the Daleks (technically)," Chalky reminded him.

Chalky moved on and Dufus entered into discussion (which really only amounted to "Can you sign this to Dufus please?".)

Then came Shirt's turn and an event occurred which made him vow NEVER to go behind Dufus in the queue again.

Mr. Cusick obviously became distracted by Shirt's First Day Stamp cover and - after the initial items of merchandise - began to sign Shirt's stuff to Dufus!

Shirt failed to noticed this until it was too late and left the shop fuming at the stupidity.

The ensuing train journey was constantly punctuated by Shirt ranting about his misfortune, whilst Dufus and Chalky had a good laugh about it.

Eventually, Shirt had decided upon a plan of action. He could change the Dufus to Shirt on a couple of items with strategic use of a gold pen.

It was discovered that the marker pen used to sign the photograph would wipe off without damage.

Shirt was slightly becalmed - but only just.

Of course, Chalky and Dufus still laugh about it till today.